Prisoners in Beur pledge their eyes

This jail has always been known for skirmishes between rival gangs and housing some of the most dreaded gangsters in Bihar.

This jail has always been known for skirmishes between rival gangs and housing some of the most dreaded gangsters in Bihar.

But now, the Beur Model Central Jail in Patna is in the news for some humane reasons.

At least 400 inmates of the jail have resolved to donate their eyes after their death. According to the jail administration, more inmates are expected to follow suit. They said efforts are on to inspire the 2,500- odd prisoners, including undertrials, to make a similar pledge.

Among the prisoners who have agreed to donate their eyes are gangster Naga Singh, Maoist Guddu Sharma and former legislator Rajan Tiwari.

The jail’s medical officer, Dr Kanti Mohan, said consent forms for eye donation will soon be sent to the eye bank. Beur jail superintendent Om Prakash Gupta said the prisoners’ gesture will send a positive message to society.

The prison department recently launched Operation Kayakalp (metamorphosis), an ambitious reform programme in the jail. As part of it, the prisoners will be encouraged to donate other organs too, such as kidneys. A number of the prisoners were also engaged in community service.

More than 12 of them volunteered to train as paramedics and are helping doctors as operation theatre assistants and ward boys in the 125- bed jail hospital.

The prisoners have learnt to administer saline and injections to patients.

Inspector General (prison) S. Shiv Kumar said the jail reforms were in keeping with the government’s initiatives under which Operation Kayakalp was launched.

The other initiatives undertaken by Beur jail include a deaddiction drive, cancer and hepatitis awareness camps and eye camps. Yoga camps and discourses have also been organised by volunteers of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living.